Zihni Göktay (b. 2 December 1945, Istanbul – d. 6 July 2026, Istanbul) was a Turkish stage, film and television actor. His full name is Abdullah Zihni Göktay. He began his professional career in 1964 at Ankara Meydan Sahnesi, where he worked until 1973. From 1973 onward, Göktay served at İstanbul Şehir Tiyatroları, appearing in 72 plays over 36 years. He is regarded as one of the last representatives of the Turkish theatrical tradition of tuluat. Göktay passed away in Istanbul on 6 July 2026.

Zihni Göktay was born on 2 December 1945 in the Fatih district of Istanbul. He graduated from Pertevniyal High School.

Between 1960 and 1964, Zihni Göktay continued his amateur theater activities with the İstanbul University National Turkish Student Union (İ.M.T.B.) Youth Theater and the theater branch of Eminönü Halkevi. After completing high school, he began his theater work at Eminönü Halkevi. He performed his military service in Temeltepe, Sivas.

Göktay worked at Ankara Meydan Sahnesi from 1964 to 1973. From 1973 onward, he served at İstanbul Şehir Tiyatroları (Istanbul Municipal Theater), appearing in 72 plays over 36 years. Following Muammer Karaca and Nejat Uygur, he portrayed the character "Commissioner Cafer Sabbah" in the play Cibali Karakolu. He also performed for 28 years in the operetta Lüküs Hayat.

The following plays are among those in which Zihni Göktay performed at İstanbul Şehir Tiyatroları.

Other plays in which he performed include: Açgözlüler, Çalıkuşu, İp Oyunu, Yaşama Sevinci (Gümüş Düdük), İpekçi Merhum, Misafir, Çulsuzlar, Kralın Kısrağı, Merhaba Anneciğim, Devlet Baba, Genç Osman, Kalkınma Planı, Kısasa Kısas and 3. Selim (Kılıç ve Ney).

Between 1978 and 1996, Zihni Göktay served as both director and actor in numerous productions at the İstanbul Radio Radio Theater Branch.

Zihni Göktay provided voice acting for various films. In some silent films, he voiced the characters he portrayed.

He appeared in the television films Beybaba (TRT, 2003) and Koltuk (TRT, 2004).

Göktay married Sevinç Göktay in 1978. The couple had a daughter, Zeynep (b. 1985), and a son, Ömer (b. 1980). His wife Sevinç Göktay passed away in January 2022.

• Suna Pekuysal Theater Awards (2012) – "Honorary Award"
• Cibali Karakolu / Lions Theater Awards (2015) – "Theater Service of the Year Award"
• Yeni Tiyatro Dergisi Emek ve Başarı Awards (2017) – "Emek Awards"
• Sadri Alışık Theater Awards (2019) – "Honorary Award"

Zihni Göktay fell ill on 6 July 2026 and was admitted to hospital where he received treatment in the intensive care unit. On the same day, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Secretary General Mahir Polat and his daughter Zeynep Göktay Dilbaz announced through their shared posts that Göktay had passed away at the age of 80.